Donald Duck: Goin’ Quackers has seen release on 5 platforms: Playstation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PS2, and now Gamecube. Goin’ Quackers has been tweaked along the way leaving the Gamecube with the best version of the game. While doing a news report, Daisy was captured by the evil Merlock, who will stop at nothing short of world domination. Of course Donald can’t let that happen, and now he has to find pieces of a weathervane for a teleporting machine built by Gyro Gearloose. The more weathervane’s Donald collects the more powerful the teleporting machine becomes, eventually becoming strong enough to teleport Donald to the evil temple where Daisy is being held.

Graphics
Graphically the gamecube version of Goin’ Quackers is the best-looking version. The graphics are smooth and cartoony, but you won’t find anything that looks amazing. The animations for Donald are adequate, as well as for the enemies. The game stays locked at 60 frames per second most of the time, but can get rather choppy at times. Luckily, the slowdown rarely effects gameplay. The lighting and shading throughout the levels also works well.

Sound
The Gamecube version is the only version to support voices for all the characters. It’s a lot more interesting to listen to the characters then just having text to read. The music fits each area well, ranging from the upbeat tracks for Duckie Mountain, to the spooky music that outfits the haunted mansion levels. The sound effects fit the game well, and add to the overall sound.

GamePlay
Right from the start you will notice that Goin’ Quakers is a game designed for kids. The opening is basically a CG cartoon with Donald and the whole gang, which explains the plot. Once you get started, one of the first things you’ll notice is how similar the feel of the game is to Crash Bandicoot. The game features 3 types of levels. The first is where you are running away from the screen on a pre-selected path. The second type is side-scroller levels, and the final type is running towards the screen while being chased by a huge hand.

Throughout the game you will be collecting “gears” mainly. They are basically like the coins you will find in a Mario game. The gears are scattered throughout the game usually right in the preferred path. By collecting 50 gears you are awarded with an extra life. At the end of each level is where you will find the weathervanes. The game has four main areas: Duckie Mountain, Duckberg, Magica De Spell’s Haunted Mansion, and the Merlock’s Ancient Temple. Each area consists of 4 levels and a boss battle.

If you play anything like me you’ll spend most of your time in the air. Donald starts the game with a double jump that makes most jumps pretty easy. Donald has two basic ways of disposing of enemies - you can jump on them or you can use Donald’s punch. Once you land on an enemy you will be bounced back up in the air and you’ll be able to use the double jump again. The levels are also loaded with mattresses’, presents, and enemies that can be used to keep you in the air. You can use this to your advantage as new special moves have been added to the gamecube version that can only be used after you have jumped on 3 enemies without touching the ground.

Once you’ve jumped on 3 enemies without touching the ground the special moves are activated. The jumps don’t have to be consecutive as you can bounce on presents, (which are plentiful) among other things to keep your string going. Once your 3 lights are lit (signaling special moves are activated) you press the R button in air and that will cause the time to stop for three seconds while you input special moves (i.e. Up, Y, Y, B, B). In order to get new special moves you must spell the word “Special” throughout the levels. By collecting 5 gears in a short amount of time you will receive one letter. This is quite easy as gears are all over the levels.

The control could have been tighter. It’s not true analog support as you can only move in the eight primary directions, but it works decently. The camera is often in an awkward position for landing jumps. Most of the times I have died from jumps was due to the bad perspective. While it’s not terrible, it could have used some work. You will never have more than two chances to get hit consecutively. Once you get hit once Donald gets mad and the music turns to a not-so-happy tune. You must open a purple present (which are all over the levels) to get Donald happy, and in good health.

Overall
The game never truly gets challenging due to the fact that you’ll come up on extra lives so frequently. It’s easy to tell it’s geared to younger audiences that might have a problem getting through the games rather simplistic levels. There are some bonuses to unlock, but it’s probably not going to be worth it for older gamers, but younger gamers will find some extra gameplay to be had.